Filling a Dead Isur's Shoes (Jason)

[Secret]

Date: Summer 32, midday Location: Undercavern Participants: Jason Alexander Jason was down in the Foliage of Spires, daylight streaming through the occassional holes in the canopy. He was studying a strange orange lichen growing on the north side of one of the massive giants that were the trees that made up the forest. He poked at with a stick, noticing the sponginess. He poked once a bit too hard and a bunch of spores were released. Jason fell backwards as the orange powdery cloud was released into the air. The spore cloud was quickly swept up in a lazy breeze. He would notice the cloud drifting parallel to the winding way. If he followed, he would see that it floated into the open mouth of a cavern entrance made by the open roots and a rocky opening in the earth. The spore cloud was drawn down into the depths of the earth. The cloud continued down a rocky sloping tunnel the led deeper. Roots and insects lined the ceilings and walls. The smell of musty earth and water filled the air. As the cloud drifted lower, the sound of rushing water echoed through. The further away the entrance grew, the darker it became. Once the cloud reached the bottom of the tunnel, a dull green glow filled the darkness. The cloud eventually dispersed having arrived in Undercavern. There was a large glowing river rushing through the center of a massive, open cavern. The dull green glow was caused by moss and algae in the water. There were many tunnels leading further into the earth, lit by the familiar firefly lanterns common to Spires. And down one said tunnel, echoed the sound of arguing voices. The argument attracted the notice of the few denizens down here, a sprinkling of Kelvics, Symenestra, Zith, and Charoda. These beings lived and worked together with slight tension but behaved, for this town is one of the few havens in the world for their kind.

[Jason Alexander]

As Jason noticed the cave he began to walk forward, stopping to for a moment. To himself he closes his eyes and concentrates on releasing the res, the fuel for his spell, out of the palms of his hands. Once out, he pushes it to his right hand forming it into a ball hovering a few inches about his palm. Opening his eyes, saying “Light” and the ball of gas like substance lights on fire in his hand, the flames are only strong enough to provide light and very small amount of heat. He began his trek down the cave.. A few minutes into his walk, he discovers what appears to be an underground river, a big and fast flowing one at that, looking to his right and left, he notices what appears to be a small walkway, or what was a walkway. Walking over to it, he holds up his hand to let the light travel further, noticing it the walkway follows the river a long while down. Knowing he can’t keep his fire going forever and not knowing how long the passage is, with his free hand he brings out a torches and lights it with his flames, giving them enough res to increase heat and power of his fire. Once he has it lit, he concentrates again on his fire ball “Fire go” and pushes it off toward the end of the passage. Before it goes out, he still doesn’t see the end of the passage. Shaking his head, he begins his dangerous trek down the washed and eroded walkway along the fast following river beside him. What seems like at least an hour if not two, he final edged his way slowly down the path, arriving at what appears to be a tunnel, dug or mined by something other the river. He slowly prepares himself to continue forward, drawing his dagger from his belt and holding the torch in the other, he continues. Walking down the path coming to a fork in the tunnels, he most decides. Either way could be a dead end, but then he hears something…. The sound of voices, to the right, he heads down to the right path way and continues to keeps himself alert. Once he feels himself getting close, he dips down and puts out his torches and places it in his bag, moving forward keeping to the shadows, he edges forward to hear what this argument is over and what is arguing.

[Secret]

Jason's wanton use of fire magic attracted the silent attention of some of the less dangerous denizens in Undercavern. The Jamoura know them as bloodcoats, however many others call them bedbugs. While in most areas of Mizahar, these are minor pests approximately the size of a bean, these particular ones about the size of an average human's thumb. And these were crawling in absolute silence along the floor and walls of the tunnel. The heat of the fire magic drew their attention to the young man. After all, bloodcoats prefer human blood over all others. As Jason slowed his pace, nearing the sounds of arguing, the bloodcoats made their move. En masse, they crawled up his leather boots, then up the inside of his pant legs. They then moved from cloth to skin, unnoticed due to their stealthy nature and lightweight. If Jason's legs were visible it would appear that he was spotted like a wild cat with redbrown spots. They then began their feast. This consisted of them extending two tubular appendages. The first would pierce the skin, immediately delivering anesthetics and anticoagulants. This would prevent Jason from feeling the piercings in his skin, and let his blood flow freely as they drank. They would continue at this for five to ten minutes and retreat just as silently as they had appeared. Within an hour his legs would be a mess of welts and very irritating itching. As Jason approaches he would see a strange sight. He would see a very tall and lanky Symenestra, his skin shining like porcelain, looming over and yelling at a highly disfigured ghost. The ghost appeared to be an Isurian women, only distinguishable due to her special arm, unique to the race. Her face and head were highly damaged, clearly the cause of her death. It appeared as if her head were crushed by a cave in. The Symenestra yelled down at the woman, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE CREW LEFT?" The Isurian women remained calm, "Look we just have to find someone else to finish your lab and I will over see it like promised. You know I can't pass on until I finish this project. The crew went back to Sultros, they aren't fond of the... natural side of this town. Don't worry, there's always someone willing to break their back. What of your assistant, what happened to her?" The Symenestra a bit more calm now, "She fled after she found herself late on her cycle and accused me of being the father. Which isn't unfounded, but she needn't have run away as such. I'll find someone else, though none of these Jamoura, they are much too slow for my desire. By the time they finish researching a plant I need, it's dead and gone." The Symenestra sighed and the ghost turned to leave, "I'll find someone to help dig out your lab, soon hopefully, don't fret." She walked toward Jason not really noticing him as she passed through him, the sensation would frighten him and chill him to his bones. The ghost startled as well swiveled quickly, "Who are you and why are you spying on us?!?"

[Jason Alexander]

Jason edges around the corner, seeing what appears to be a shimmer hovering a few inches about the ground in front of a… Symenestra. Jason had never met one or even seen on for that fact. Looking from the Symenestra, a male by the looks, back to the shimmer he realizes what it is… a Ghost, by what he can see a female Isur. Seeing this, Jason sinks back further in the shadows, it be better to listen before announcing himself he believes. The Symenestra yelled down at the woman, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE CREW LEFT?" The Isurian women remained calm, "Look we just have to find someone else to finish your lab and I will oversee it like promised. You know I can't pass on until I finish this project. The crew went back to Sultros, they aren't fond of the... natural side of this town. Don't worry, there's always someone willing to break their back. What of your assistant, what happened to her?" Jason, leans forward slightly listening to the rest of their conversation, how it appears the Symenestra is looking for some plant, could be of use to Jason, and needs his lab here in these caves completed. According to the Ghost, the Isur crew of miners had abandoned him, so now they need help. Jason thinking to himself … depending on his intentions, I would be more than happy to help him. For use of his lab and materials, but he has preyed of humans before. I must not be quick to trust… Taking himself away from his thoughts, he hadn’t noticed the Ghost turning to leave, she turned the corner and went right through him. It was like a blast of ice water over and through his entire body, the feeling remained, as the Ghost noticed him and turned around facing him. From the looks on her face, she wasn’t very happy. "Who are you and why are you spying on us?!?" she asked. With a gulp and said in nervousness… “I am not spying, I found this cave and was exploring when I heard voices, I was coming to make sure everything was okay. When I noticed you were in a conversation with your friend, I didn’t want to interrupt," said Jason. Knowing that was the worse answer he could come up with, she knew and he would to know that he had been spying on their conversation, Jason hoped that the Symenestra don’t eat human flesh like he was told as a child.

[Secret]

The ghost materialized momentarily and used her traditional Isur arm to lunge at Jason's throat. However, she stopped as she saw a pale hand with crimson colored claws resting at Jason's throat. The Symenestra leaned into Jason's ear, "Well now, what do we have here? A little insect snooping in a spider's den." The tall Symenestra man walked around to Jason's front, chuckling as a predator toying with his prey. His crimson claw lightly bit the skin of Jason's neck, drawing a slow trickle of blood. This was a small pain, and would cause no scarring nor was life threatening. Nonetheless Jason was frozen in place in fear. Would this pale creature eat him? Slice his throat open and let him bleed out all alone? These thoughts filled Jason's mind. The Symenestra was now in front of Jason, and turned his claw upwards. With it, he tipped Jason's chin up, the tip of the claw piercing the skin lightly. "I smell fear in you. Are you afraid of me... Boy?" Then the Symenestra's nose began sniffing the air around Jason. His crimson eyes showed confusion and curiosity. "You work with plants don't you? You reek of soil and pollen, more so than the rest of these filthy animals here. I may have use for you, aside from being my meal. But I'll leave it to you. I have your scent now, I can find you anywhere. If you wish to be of use to me, then stay here with Andonel. She will find you... Quite useful. If not, I will eat well for the next few days." The mysterious Symenstra pulled the claw away, blood dripping from Jason's chin to the cavern floor. He gave Jason a smile laced with menace and disappeared down a corridor. The ghost, Andonel, approached Jason. "Don't consider yourself lucky. You look like a worm! A muscleless worm! And he wants me to use you to build this? Why must he torture me so? LET ME REST IN PEACE YOU PETCHING BASTARD!" The cave for several minutes was filled with a painful, mourning wail. When she had recovered herself, she motioned for Jason, her back against a partially carved out cavern wall, with a pickax and shovel next to her. "I don't suppose you know how to mine do you Earthworm?"

[Jason Alexander]

Jason followed the Ghost motioning to the back wall, glancing at the digging equipment. “"I don't suppose you know how to mine do you Earthworm?" ask the Ghost. “I am not an “Earthworm” Ghost, I am Jason and you will call me as such. It seems as if you need me more than I need you. You seem to need this project of yours completed to where you can “pass on” or whatever you ghost do. If you attempt to kill me, go ahead I will return in another form. Plus I have placed a glyph on my body, that in the event of my death. Fire will erupt within these tunnels, causing them to collapse. So Ghost, you will treat me with respect and call me by my name and I shall call you by yours. Now let us begin, I am Jason Alexander and you are?” Spoke Jason trying to keep his voice straight and calm. Truth be told, he was scared, very scared. “And no, I know nothing on mining.” Jason kept his eyes on the Ghost waiting for her answer. Hopefully she would respect him standing up for himself, at the least she would take his word and not call him on his bluff. Reaching down to scratch his legs, which for some reason itched all the sudden. Looking back up at the Ghost he waited patiently for her reply. Thinking to himself ‘hopefully I will make it out of this alive and return to the world above.’

[Secret]

The ghost almost smiled at the man's false bravado. However, she couldn't have him thinking he was her equal or that petching insect would make things much more difficult. Her hand snapped forward, grabbed Jason by the neck, and slammed him into the wall, holding him there. "Look, we need each other. If you don't listen to me, he will kill you. If I don't use you, I can't pass on. Blow up, I don't care, you will be the lucky one for passing on. So shut up, and grab that pick. You have a lot of work to do." The ghost set him down and moved over to the pickaxe. It was a standard pick, with a pointed spike on one end of the head, and a flat hoe like end on the opposing side. It was made for Isur, so it was a bit heavier than a human would typically use. But the ghost figured Jason could use some body work. He was too thin and weak looking. "Use the spike end of the head to pull out large chunks. The flat end is for flattening faces. When the rocks you've pulled out get too large, carry them down the hall and deposit in that room on the left. Swing from your shoulder to your hip, and put your whole body into it."

[Jason Alexander]

“Very well Ghost, I will do as your wish. I’ll do as you ask, but no funny business.” Spoke Jason as he walked over to the pickaxe lying on the ground. Reaching down to scratch his leg, he grabs the pick on his way up. Struggling to lift it to his shoulder he examines the handle, determining where his hands were to be placed. Lifting it up and walking it over to the rock face, examining it. Determining where to start, he swings the pick. The pick bounces off the rock face barely chipping away the rock and almost losing the pick out of his hands. Standing up and taking a breath, readying himself once more, Jason swings the pick again with as much force as he can manage and it chips the rock face off and crumbles to the floors. Keeping at it, with only his thought to entertain himself, ‘This is going to be a long day’. “So Ghost, what is your story?”

[Cheshire]

The Isur looked at Jason, her brow furrowing at his words. "You know, I have a name. I'm not just a ghost." She seemed to float at his side, judging his work through her tone. If she was alive perhaps she would have been less impatient. Humans were just so… ill-equipped in the Isurian arts. Their bodies were usually lanky and their muscles could not lift what even some of the weaker Isur could. "Humans…" Her tone was annoyed and dark. If only she was alive. She could show this Jason a thing or two about mining. A cold, ghostly had was placed on Jason's arm. The touch would feel somewhat like mist billowing over his skin. "You are holding the pick all wrong." Huffing lightly at the fact she could not actually do the work herself. "Let me show you…" The ghost moved close to Jason, slowly phasing into his body. "Let me take over Jason…" The woman made herself comfortable in the man's body, or as comfortable as a woman could be in a man's body. She reached down to lift the pick but found trouble in getting it off of the ground. "Wow… you are more weak than I thought." With a small grunt she lifted the pick-ax up over Jason's head and let it fall hard and fast in the center of a rock. "Don't just swing Jason. You need to see where the rock would break naturally and aim for that. Look for cracks and striations. Don't just swing like a lunatic." Giving some control back to Jason, she urged him to try again. "Now you try." As Jason was working on his mining, the Isur spoke. "My name is Kuani Swifthand Terras, of Terras clan in Sultros. My clan is made up of all women, a gift from Izurdin if you ask me. If you want to get something done right, get a Terras woman to do it. I worked alongside my sisters in Sutros building, smithing, you say it, I did it. Look at me now… I'm just waiting for Dira to take me to Izurdin. There is so much left I never got to do…"

[Jason Alexander]

Shrugging off the feeling of having a ghost within him, the coolness from his limbs was fading. But it was still different, not fully in control, not fully alone within his own body. He watched as his own body did things that he wasn’t telling it to. This Ghost was controlling him, swinging the pickaxe and talking to him through his thoughts “Don't just swing Jason. You need to see where the rock would break naturally and aim for that. Look for cracks and striations. Don't just swing like a lunatic." She said as she swung the pick down. “Now you try.” And Jason felt his body come back under his control, well not fully. Swinging the pick down as the crack in front of him, using his arms and chest muscles to hit hard, he could tell that the Ghost was still guiding his body, helping him, instructing him. Jason worked while the Ghost talked in his mind. She told him her story, her name was Kuani Swifthand Terras, but didn’t go any further into her past. Jason worked the wall for what seemed like hours, making more progress as he could tell. Stopping every so often to move the rock that has already been broke away from the wall and to the pile of rock. While working the wall once more Jason decided to ask “Well Kuani. I feel that we will be at this for a while, so tell me why was this being built in the first place? And what happens once we finish it?"